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The public works and transport minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been removed from office as authorities widen their investigation into a passenger ferry disaster off the coast of Girne (Kyrenia), Prime Minister Unal Ustel announced Wednesday. Separately, Ustel said the body of a 20th missing passenger had been recovered, raising the confirmed death toll to nine while 19 people remain unaccounted for.
Ustel told reporters he had removed Erhan Arikli from his post as minister of public works and transport, a move he tied directly to the expanding investigation into last weekend's shipwreck. Arikli also serves as party leader of the YDP, a coalition partner in Ustel's government.
Ustel said he informed Arikli of the decision personally. "As head of the executive, my duty is to take all necessary administrative measures for the sake of the investigation and to ease the public conscience," he said.
At the same news conference, Ustel said search teams had recovered the body of one of the 20 people previously reported missing. The remains, believed to belong to a man in his 50s, were sent to Burhan Nalbantoglu Hospital in Nicosia for formal identification. Search and rescue operations for the remaining 19 missing passengers are continuing, he said.
The high-speed passenger ferry Filo Jet, which operates on the route between Girne Port and Tasucu Port in Mersin on Türkiye's southern coast, began taking on water at the bow shortly after departing Girne around midday on Sunday, Aug. 30. The vessel capsized as it attempted to return to Girne Port. Of those aboard, 241 people were rescued. The wreck of the ferry has been located at a depth of 550 meters off the Girne coastline.
The confirmed death toll has climbed steadily since the capsizing, from eight fatalities to nine following the latest recovery. Authorities have not indicated when search operations for the remaining 19 missing passengers are expected to conclude.
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